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Ben Leatigaga has been called into the Eagles 7s team to replace Nate Ebner in the only change to the team for the final round of the 2015/16 HSBC Sevens Series, set to kick off at Twickenham in London on Saturday. It will be the second HSBC appearance for Leatigaga, who debuted in Vancouver in March, scoring his first series try against Samoa in the Plate final.
Mike Friday will be looking for a strong response from his team after a disappointing Bowl semi final finish in Paris. The Eagles enter the London tourney as defending champions after winning the Cup final for the first time ever in last year’s Series finale.
The squad has a very similar look to the one that created history a year ago. Zack Test will take part after missing last year’s event with injury, with Matai Leuta not selected this year. Ben Pinkelman effectively takes the spot of Andrew Durutalo, now playing Super Rugby with the Sunwolves. Injury to Carlin Isles opened the door for Ebner, whose spot now goes to Leatigaga.
Currently in 6th spot at 107 points for the season, a jump to 5th place on the overall standings looks difficult but not insurmountable with Argentina seven points ahead and Cup semi-finalists in Paris. Meanwhile Kenya are hot on the heels of the Eagles and just five points behind in 7th.
To succeed the Eagles will have to overcome a difficult pool with Paris pace-setters Samoa, contenders South Africa, and North American rivals Canada lined up on Day One.
All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
USA EAGLES 7s
Nate Augspurger, Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Ben Leatigaga, Folan Niua, Thretton Palamo, Ben Pinkelman, Zack Test, Maka Unufe
DAY ONE FIXTURES
May 21 – 05:14 ET – vs Samoa
May 21 – 08:42 ET – vs South Africa
May 21 – 11:26 ET – vs Canada
